American University of Antigua (AUA) College of Medicine, a part of Manipal Education and Medical Group (MEMG), India’s largest higher education and healthcare service provider, announced that it will host its Made for Medicine Tour in India with distinguished Antiguan Cricket legend Sir Vivian Richards. This month’s strategic enrollment tour will attract aspiring medical students to one of the most prominent medical schools in the Caribbean.

As one of Manipal’s seven universities situated outside India, AUA has a unique relationship with Manipal University. The recent 2+2+2 program allows high school graduates to begin their medical education at Manipal. Upon successful completion of the premedical program, students can transfer to AUA’s campus in Antigua to complete their Basic Sciences in two years. Students then finish their medical degree with an intensive two-year Clinical Sciences program, which can take place at teaching hospitals in the U.S., Canada, UK or India.

“AUA was established in response to the shortage of opportunities and intense competition for quality medical education around the world,” said S. Vaitheeswaran, Chief Executive Officer, Manipal Education and Medical Group. “In India, for example, there is one medical seat for every 15,000 aspirants. AUA’s degree is equivalent to one from any medical college in mainland U.S.A. We are honored that Sir Vivian Richards is on Made for Medicine Tour in India to help us connect with aspiring medical students in the country, and offer them a chance to fulfill their dream of becoming doctors, so that they can serve their communities back home or practice anywhere in the world.”

As a brand ambassador for AUA, Sir Vivian Richards will partake in the multi-city tour in India to promote the college and his home country as an ideal location for medical school. The iconic cricket star will host ‘meet and greet’ sessions with prospective students to discuss the unique benefits of attending AUA.

“I feel extremely privileged to be affiliated with AUA and Manipal,” said Richards. “AUA students come from all over the world, and they bring such a positive energy to the island. You can tell they really love being here, and we love having them. More importantly is the caliber of doctors AUA produces. Many are placed in the world’s most prestigious hospitals and credit the school’s hands-on training and supportive community for their success. I am doing my best to convince students and their parents that my country is a safe and ideal destination for getting a medical degree”.

Spread across a verdant, 17-acre campus, AUA is one of only three medical schools in the Caribbean to gain the distinction of being approved, accepted, recognized and accredited by a diverse international medical education authorities or bodies, including the U.S. Department of Education, the UK General Medical Council and the Medical Council of India, among others.

“AUA is a private medical institution dedicated to the training and education of the next generation of world-class physicians,” said Neal Simon President of AUA. “AUA has enjoyed tremendous success over the last decade and the people of Antigua and Barbuda have played a large part in that success. We are honored that Sir Vivian Richards is joining us on our Made for Medicine Tour in India to connect with aspiring students and promote his home country as ideal place for medical education.”

The Made for Medicine Tour will take place from December 17-27 in four cities across India and is open to the public. To view all the dates and times, click here.